Sunday, 10 April 2011

Our April EC meeting...

Build co-ordinated action to defend pensions

8pm Wednesday April 13Upstairs at the King & Queen pub, the Old Steine, Brighton

All union members welcome

The Hutton report has signalled the beginning of one of the biggest attacks on public sector workers' rights in the trade council's 120-year history. Workers are going to be made to work longer, pay more and receive less under these plans.

This meeting is being called by the trades council as it sees a co-ordinated defence of pensions across unions as vital if we are to mainitain the provisions we have been promised and fought so hard in the past to achieve.

Speakers from unions who are preparing for industrial action to defend pensions will introduce the discussion. The role of this meeting is to look at practical action that can be taken to work together locally and how we can work in our unions to mobilise them together nationally.

Our regular monthly EC meeting will follow this discussion with agenda items including May Day preparations and anti-racist actions. Spread the word or get in touch via brightontradescouncil@gmail.com. Thanks.

How to get involved

Trades union councils consist of representatives of trade unions or branches of trade unions which meet within the area covered by that council, or which have members working or living in the area. A union branch will normally affiliate to the trades unions council in the area in which it meets.

Affiliated unions

Who are we and what do we do?

Trades union councils bring together trade unions to campaign around issues effecting working people in their workplaces and local communities.

Trades Union Councils consist of trade unions or branches oftrade unions which meet within the area covered by that council, or which have members working or living in the area. A union branch will normally affiliate to the trades union council in the area in which it meets. Each branch will then send delegates to the trades union council's meetings. These branches pay an affiliation fee. Their delegates elect officers from amongst themselves to represent the views and priorities of the constituent branches and to take responsibility for working for and supporting the policy of Congress and the Trades Union Council (TUC) General Council. This is because trades union councils are registered with the TUC, rather than being entirely independent bodies. The Annual Conference of Trades Union Councils takes place over a May weekend.

Aims and objectives

> Raise public awareness of rights at work and the union role in enforcing those rights.

> Support union and community campaigns for dignity and respect in the workplace and beyond.

With the threats of racism and fascism, changes in the labour market and debates over the future of public services, the trade union voice in the community is as important as ever. The capacity of trades union councils to provide a local response and to organise trade unionists into coalitions with other progressive forces is crucial. They do this by providing services which keep local trade unionists up to date with developments within the wider trade union movement, and by taking up relevant local industrial and community issues.